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Four Things You Didn’t Know About Smoking And Lung Cancer

For years, anti-smoking campaigns have touted the message – “Smoking causes lung cancer.” Today, you’d be hard-pressed to find any American unaware of the link between the two.

However, during Lung Cancer Awareness Month, it’s important to highlight lesser-known facts about lung cancer and smoking.

Not all lung cancer is caused by smokingAccording to the American Cancer Society, while cigarette smoking is the most important risk factor for developing lung cancer, smoking accounts for 87 percent of lung cancer deaths. This means that there are thousands of people diagnosed with lung cancer each year who have never smoked. Other risk factors include exposure to secondhand smoke and ongoing exposure to asbestos, certain metals and air pollution.

Genetics can also make you more susceptible to developing lung cancer, especially those who develop it at a younger age. People who are more genetically prone to the disease should be extra cautious and reduce exposure to carcinogens.

Screenings are not available for lung cancerMammograms help detect breast cancer, but for lung cancer there isn’t a screening test. Recent studies suggest that CT scans can be a valuable screening tool that helps detect lung cancer at early, more treatable stages. This could lead to an approved screening test in the future.

Watch for early signs of lung cancer, and see your doctor if you experience any of the following:

Persistent cough or hoarseness of voice

Deep chest pain, shoulder or upper-back pain

Shortness of breath or wheezing

Reddened, rust-colored or bloody phlegm

Recurrent respiratory infections, like pneumonia or bronchitis

Weight loss or lack of appetite

Abnormal breast growth in men

While many of these symptoms could indicate other conditions, they can also be symptoms of lung cancer. Trust your gut – if you are not feeling right, consult your physician.

Tobacco use causes more than lung cancerIn the United States, the leading cause of preventable illness and death is tobacco use, according to the National Cancer Institute.

States ban smoking to protect healthThe most important thing you can do to prevent lung cancer is stop smoking, or distance yourself from those who do. A Center for Disease Control report released this year said the number of states with comprehensive indoor smoking bans went from zero in 2000 to 26 in 2010. In a decade, the entire nation could be covered by smoking bans in workplaces, bars, and restaurants.

While the Texas Legislature recently considered a statewide ban on smoking in public places, it wasn’t passed. Only three southern states – Florida, Louisiana, and North Carolina – have laws banning smoking in any two of the three venues (workplaces, restaurants, and bars). If Texas passed a comprehensive statewide smoke-free law, the measure would be expected to save an estimated $31 million in state Medicaid costs over two years.

In the absence of a smoking ban, avoid indoor areas like bars and restaurants that have a high concentration of smokers.